Surgical operation system

Abstract

The invention relates to an operation system for supporting microsurgery operations, e.g., operations through which the natural crystalline lens is replaced by an artificial intraocular lens. The operation system comprises several surgical instruments ( 5 ) which are inserted into a receptacle ( 5 ), where they are connected to a connection tube ( 21 ), e.g., lines for liquids ( 22, 23 ) and/or electrical lines ( 24 ). The receptacle ( 4 ) for a surgical instrument can be docked on a supply unit ( 2 ) on which several connections for the supply of the corresponding surgical instruments are provided at various connection points. A control unit ( 41 ) recognizes by means of a decoding connection ( 17 ) which surgical instrument ( 5 ) is connected in its receptacle to the supply unit.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. In an operation system for use during micro-surgical operations, particularly ophthalmologic operation systems, comprising (a) a supply unit providing at least one consumable selected from the group consisting of electrical power, compressed air and a fluid; (b) multiple surgical instruments that are interchangeably connectable to the supply unit using connecting tubes that carry the necessary consumables to the respective surgical instrument; and (c) a control unit by means of which parameters regarding the supply of consumables to the surgical instruments is adjustable, the improvement wherein: 
       the supply unit includes several connection, interfaces, one for each surgical instrument;  
       each surgical instrument is stored in its own sterilizer unit that is connectable to a connection interface;  
       each sterilizer unit includes an identifying coded connector for the surgical instrument that fits into a querying connector of the supply unit when the sterilizer unit is connected to the supply unit;  
       the control unit is connected using the querying connectors to all connection interfaces, it identifies the connected surgical instrument for each connection interface, and it sets the parameters for its supply of consumables.  
     
     
       2. Operating system according to  claim 1  wherein each sterilizer unit includes the necessary connection tubes for the surgical instrument contained therein, and a roll-up mechanism for the tubes. 
     
     
       3. Operating system according to  claim 1  wherein the supply unit is divided into a basic unit and a separate distributor unit equipped with connection interfaces for the sterilizer units and connectable to the basic unit, where the distributor unit accepts a tube system connected with a supply and an exhaust at each connection interface to supply the surgical instruments with at least one of a rinsing fluid, and compressed air. 
     
     
       4. Operating system according to  claim 1 , further comprising activation sensors that pass an activation signal to the control unit ( 41 ) when any surgical instrument ( 5 ) is withdrawn from its sterilizer unit, the activation signal causing the control unit to activate the supply for the surgical instrument. 
     
     
       5. Operating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes an input device to program the operating system functions. 
     
     
       6. Operating system according to  claim 4 , wherein the control unit includes a display that shows an operating system function. 
     
     
       7. Operating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is provided with an interface for connection of external devices, particularly a printer. 
     
     
       8. Operating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sterilizer unit and the distributor unit are each provided with a buffer in which specific data from the sterilizer unit and the distributor unit may be entered, and that the data can be transferred to the control unit when docked with the basic unit. 
     
     
       9. Operating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating system includes a counter mechanism used to count the number of usages of at least a component of the operating system. 
     
     
       10. Operating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating system includes a timer mechanism used to measure the usage time of at least a component of the operating system. 
     
     
       11. Operating system according to  claim 9 , wherein the counter mechanism and/or the timer mechanism is connected with the central control unit. 
     
     
       12. Operating system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a display for the count and/or duration of usages of at least one of the components monitored by the counter and/or timer mechanism. 
     
     
       13. Operating system according to  claim 9 , the control unit issues a signal, especially a warning signal, when a predetermined number of usages and/or a predetermined amount of usage time is exceeded for at least one part of the operating system. 
     
     
       14. Operating system according to  claim 9 , wherein the function of at least one of the operating system components monitored by the counter and/or timer mechanism has its function limited or blocked when a predetermined number of usages and/or a predetermined amount of usage time is exceeded. 
     
     
       15. Operating system according to  claim 1 , wherein temperature sensors are provided for operating system parts to be sterilized.